WOMK AND WAOSS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4773, 13 October 1893, Page 3

WOMK AND WAOSS.

■♦ [Special to .Pbssb Association.] LONDON, Oct. 12. The Lancashire and Cheshire miners, acting under pressure of their leaders, refuse to resume work at any reduction in wages. The Nottingham miners have resumed at the old rate. The coal- owners are giving way, and allowing the men to return at the old rate of wages. Sixty thousand men have resumed work.

[Pbb Pbess Absociation.J THE MAEINE ENGINEERS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. A circular issued by the Australasian Institution of Marine Engineers, tinder date Melbourne, Sept. 27, dealing with matters in dispute between the Society and the steamship owners, has been received here. After relating the formal negotiations for a conference, it states— "We met the owners on Sept. 7, it having been agreed that their President Bhould be Chairman over the joint conference. They at once submitted a series of proposals, the principal one being a 20 to 40 per cent reduced scale of pay, freedom of contract, and the ownexs to regulate the number of engineers and greaseia carried. Among the matters put forward from enr side were a tweaty-four hours' notice clause, payment of overtime for juniors, engineers to engage their own crews, and a Board of Arbitration. Matters were at once precipitated by the owners declining to discuss any other question until that o£ wageß was settled. We objected to seriously entertain their reduced scale, and then requested to be allowed to sufcmit one of our own, and the conference was adjourned to enable us to prepare it. Two large general meetings were held in Melbourne, and guided by the expressions of opinion given at 'thorn as to the state of the labour market and the severe commercial depression, especially in Melbourne, we formulated a scale of wages based on 7£ per cent reduction. This was submitted for the approval of the owners, subject to ratification by general vote of our members. The owners refused to entertain it, and after a lapse of a few days they placed before us an amended proposal of 15 per cent on the schedule rates. In order to avoid a conflict we submitted a counter proposal based on 10 per cent reduction,, and agreed to recommend it for adoption by the members, offering at the same time to submit their proposal (without comment) to a general vote. The owners remained obdurate, and put forward their recommendation of 15 per cent reduction, with a twelve months' agreement, as their ultimatnm. We felt that we had reached the limit in offering 10 per cent, and were nob justified in going beyond it. This resolution we adhered to, and a deadlock ensuing, the conference t was dissolved. We have now no other j resource but to appeal to the general Vote of the members, and a new scale, if so ruled, will be drawn up, based upon the consensus of opinion thus obtained. Until the vote is collected, and final instructions are issued, all members are hereby instructed to continue at, and sign for, the present rate of wages. Members are also distinctly cautioned not to make any terms with individual owners unless through the institution. Voting papers are to be returned to any District Secretary before I Monday, Oct. 16, and the circular con-

cludes :— " Oa Oct. 17, your delegates will again meet and formulate a final scale of wages, based on yoar decision. Whatever this may be, it will be put to owners as yoar ultimatum, and all members must be prepared to stand or fall by the wishes of the majority. Bear in mind that this is the most important step in the annalß of the institution, and any member who permits himself to become disfranchised through not voting cannot complain if the result should be adverse to his convictions. — Signed by the delegates, W. Berry, S. D. Hanna, (New Zealand), S. Johnson, C. M'Allister, J. Macfarlane, T. D. Hay and R. P. Park (Chairman). The following telegraphic correspondence has passed between the various districts in New Zealand in reference to the conference : — w . , Prom Wellington, to S. Hanna, Auckland, Sept., 1893 .-?" Wellington decides, if possible, to keep the wages as per rules, but Bticks up for the .£2O, ,£l6, £14 and ,£l2 per month, and to have a twenty-four hours' notice clause in all shipping agreements." ,_. . From Wellington to Dunedin : — " Wellington i* unanimous that the minimum of pay shall be .£2O, .£l6, .£l4. and £12, per month to all engineers." Prom Wellington to Dunedin and Auckland—Sept. 25, 1893— " Meeting to-day, twenty-five present. Union Company and local engineers carried unanimously that the New Zealand delegate be cabled not to approach the Bteamship owners again j that no reduction of wages be taken. Want your opinion sent here, and Wellington to cable Hanna." From Dunedin to Wellington— Sept. 27 — "The district agreeß with your decision." ,„.„». .From Auckland to Wellington— Sept. 27 —"Endorse decision. Delegate not to take initiative." i • From Wellington to S. Hanna, Melbourne, Sept. 27— "New Zealand unanimous you do not approach steamship owners again. No reduction of wages be taken." From Dunedin to Wellington, Sept. 30— " Haye cables good authority Association insists 15 per cent." From Wellington to Dunedin, Oct. 2— "Wellington decidedly objects to any reduction. Australia at liberty to make its best compromise. New Zealand withdraws altogether from the conference, and must have a free hand.— John Campbell, President ; Charles M'Kean, Secretary."